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What should be done with food that has been accidentally contaminated?

  1. It should be cleaned and served.

  2. It should be salvaged if possible.

  3. It must be discarded immediately.

  4. It should be rewashed thoroughly before use.

The correct answer is: It must be discarded immediately.

Food that has been accidentally contaminated must be discarded immediately to prevent any risk of foodborne illness. Contamination can introduce harmful pathogens, chemicals, or allergens that may not be eliminated by cleaning or washing. Even if food appears visually clean after washing, the harmful agents can still remain. Discarding contaminated food is the safest course of action to protect consumers. This measure ensures that no one is at risk of ingesting food that could lead to illness. It's also essential to follow proper food safety protocols in order to maintain a safe dining environment and comply with health regulations. Options involving cleaning, salvaging, or re-washing food do not adequately ensure safety and may still leave health risks, which is why those approaches should not be utilized in the case of contamination. Proper handling and disposal protect both consumers and the establishment from potential legal and health consequences.